JP2019154145A - Vibration wave motor and lens device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vibration wave motor in which a noise caused by the vibration of a guide member is reduced.SOLUTION: In a vibration wave motor provided with: a vibrator vibrating by the application of a voltage; a friction member coming into contact with the vibrator on a friction surface, relatively driven by vibration in a prescribed drive direction with respect to the vibrator, and extending in the drive direction; a guide member extending in the drive direction, and for guiding a relative drive of the vibrator; and a fixing member for fixing each of both end parts of the guide member with respect to the friction member in the vicinity of each of both ends of the friction member in the drive direction, a member in contact with a plate-like end part by which the guide member is fixed to the fixing member is provided with an outer edge such as to match or position on the outside with respect to the end part of the guide member at least either one of in the drive direction and in the width direction perpendicular to the drive direction in the friction surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a vibration wave motor and a lens device using the vibration wave motor.

  A vibration wave motor is a motor that is relatively small and has both high output and quietness characteristics, and is used, for example, to drive a lens in a lens apparatus attached to an imaging apparatus such as a camera. As such a vibration wave motor, one that vibrates a vibrating body provided with a projection to cause an elliptical motion at the tip of the projection and generates a driving force for a friction member that slides frictionally with the projection is proposed. . In this vibration wave motor, the driven body is linearly driven using the obtained driving force.

  Patent Document 1 discloses such a vibration wave motor and a lens device using the vibration wave motor as a lens driving device. The vibration wave motor includes a movable portion including a vibrating body and a movable guide member, and a fixed portion including a friction member, a fixed guide member, and a holding member that holds the friction member. The movable guide member and the fixed guide member are provided with long grooves at positions facing each other, and the driving of the movable portion is guided by sandwiching a rolling member between the long grooves. In this vibration wave motor, the friction member and the fixed guide member are individually screw-fixed to the holding member.

JP 2017-200400 PR

  In the vibration wave motor disclosed in Patent Document 1, the friction member and the fixed guide member are individually screw-fixed to the holding member. When screw fixing is performed, it is necessary to secure a space in which the volume of the screw itself and the volume of the wall structure around the pilot hole can be arranged in the vicinity of the screw fixing portion. For this reason, in order to reduce the size of the vibration wave motor, it is preferable to use a common screw fixing portion for these members.

  However, when the friction member and the fixed guide member are fixed to the holding member with the same screw, the fixed portions of the friction member and the fixed guide member are adjacent to each other, and the vibration of the vibrator is easily transmitted to the fixed guide member via the friction member. Become. Accordingly, there is a concern that resonance of the fixed guide member is induced and abnormal noise is generated. For the same reason, in a lens apparatus using such a vibration wave motor, there is a concern that abnormal noise is generated when the lens is driven.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and provides a vibration wave motor that reduces abnormal noise caused by vibration of a guide member, and a lens device using the vibration wave motor.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a vibration wave motor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:
A vibrator that vibrates by applying a voltage;
A friction member that is in contact with the vibrator at a friction surface and is driven relative to the vibrator by a vibration in a predetermined driving direction, and extends in the driving direction;
A guide member extending in the drive direction to guide the relative drive of the vibrator;
A fixing member that fixes both ends of the guide member to the friction member in the vicinity of both ends of the friction member in the driving direction,
The member that abuts at the plate-like end portion where the guide member is fixed to the fixing member is in the width direction perpendicular to the drive direction and the drive direction in the friction surface with respect to the end portion of the guide member. At least one of the features is that an outer edge is provided so as to coincide or be located outside.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the lens apparatus which reduced the noise generated at the time of lens drive using the vibration wave motor which reduced the noise generated by the vibration of a guide member, and this vibration wave motor can be provided.

It is a disassembled perspective view showing the structure of the vibration wave motor of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the characteristic of the vibration wave motor of the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the characteristic of the vibration wave motor of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a disassembled perspective view showing the structure of the vibration wave motor of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing the characteristic of the vibration wave motor of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure showing schematic structure of the lens drive device of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the effect of this invention. It is a figure explaining resonance of a guide member.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, dimensions, materials, and relative positions of components described in the following embodiments are arbitrary, and can be changed according to the configuration of the apparatus to which the present invention is applied or various conditions. In addition, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to indicate the same or functionally similar elements.

(First embodiment)
The configuration of the vibration wave motor 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B which are exploded perspective views of the vibration wave motor 1. Note that the vibration wave motor described below is a direct-acting type, and the drive direction of the driven part by the vibration wave motor 1 is defined as A1, and the drive direction A1 is within the plane of the friction member to which the vibrator, which will be described later, comes into contact. The orthogonal direction is defined as the width direction A2. In addition, each component constituting the vibration wave motor 1 described later is stacked in a direction perpendicular to a plane defined by the drive direction A1 and the width direction A2. FIG. 1A is a view of the stacked state as viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a view as viewed from below.

  The vibration wave motor 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a vibrator 111, a friction member 112, a holding member 113, and a guide member 114 as main components. The vibrator 111 constitutes a movable part together with the vibrator holding frame 115, the movable frame 116, the pressure member 117, the pressure plate 118, the pressure buffer member 119, the movable guide member 120, and the rolling member 121. The holding member 113 holds the friction member 112. The guide member 114 guides the vibrator 111 so as to be movable in the driving direction A1. Each component constituting the movable portion presses the vibrator 111 against the friction member 112 while holding the vibrator 111.

  The vibrator 111 is obtained, for example, by attaching an elastic member 111b to a plate-like piezoelectric element 111a. Two columnar projections 111c are provided on the surface opposite to the attachment surface of the elastic member 111b, and held portions 111d are provided at both ends in the driving direction A1. The piezoelectric element 111a is made of, for example, PZT (lead zirconate titanate), and the elastic member 111b is made of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel. By applying an appropriate AC voltage to the piezoelectric element 111 a, the piezoelectric element 111 a can be expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction, and an elliptical motion can be generated at the tip of the protrusion 111 c that is a contact portion with the friction member 112.

  The friction member 112 is made of a plate-like member extending along the driving direction A1, and is made of a metal such as stainless steel. In the present embodiment, the holding member 113 is a resin casing, and the friction member 112 is fixed and held on the holding member 113 by a fixing member 122 described later. The tip of the protrusion 111c is in contact with the surface of the friction member 112 with a pressure, and the friction member 112 is sent out by the elliptical motion of the tip, so that the vibrator 111 moves in the driving direction A1 with respect to the friction member. Move relative.

  In this embodiment, the guide member 114 has a pair of long grooves 114a that are arranged at both ends in the width direction A2 and extend in the drive direction A1. Then, similarly to the friction member 112, the fixing member 122 fixes and holds the holding member 113. More specifically, the friction member 112 and the guide member 114 are sandwiched between fastening members such as screws that are the holding member 113 and the fixing member 122 in the vicinity of both ends in the driving direction A1. The friction member 112, the holding member 113, and the guide member 114 function as a fixed portion that is not linearly driven in the present embodiment.

  With respect to the above-described fixed portion, a configuration that actually drives in the driving direction A1 in this embodiment is a movable portion. The movable portion has a configuration in which a vibrator holding frame 115, a pressure buffering member 119, and a pressure plate 118 are arranged in this order from the vibrator 111 that contacts the friction member 112. The movable portion also includes a movable guide member 120 disposed on the opposite side (downward) of the vibrator 111 with the friction member 112 and the guide member 114 interposed therebetween. The pressure member 117, which is one component of the movable part, is composed of a plurality of tension coil springs that are fixed at both ends to the pressure plate 118 and the movable guide member 120 and arranged so as to sandwich the friction member 112 in the width direction A2. Is done.

  The tension coil spring that is the pressurizing member 117 generates a pressing force F1 that pressurizes the vibrator 111 against the friction member 112. The pressing force F1 acts on the vibrator 111 via the pressure plate 118 and the pressure buffering member 119, and the protrusion 111c of the vibrator 111 is brought into pressure contact with the friction member 112. By disposing the pressure buffering member 119 between the pressure plate 118 and the vibrator 111, only the pressure F1 can be transmitted to the vibrator 111 without inhibiting the vibration of the vibrator 111. As the pressure buffering member 119, for example, felt or the like is used.

  The vibrator holding frame 115 is fixed to the held part 111d of the vibrator 111 in a manner such as adhesion. The movable frame 116 is a frame-shaped member, and accommodates the vibrator holding frame 115 disposed in the frame so as to be movable in the direction of the pressurizing force F1 and restrains it in the driving direction A1. By disposing the vibrator holding frame 115, the movable frame 116, and the pressure buffering member 119, the pressure F1 generated by the pressure member 117 is transmitted to the vibrator 111 without impairing, and the vibrator 111 is held in the movable portion. can do.

  The movable guide member 120 has a long groove 120 a at a position facing the long groove 114 a of the guide member 114, and is fixed to the movable frame 116 with screws. A rolling member 121 such as a ball is sandwiched between the long grooves 114 a and 120 a provided in the guide member 114 and the movable guide member 120. By these long grooves, rolling members, and the like, the guide member 114 is guided to drive along the driving direction A1 of the movable portion including the vibrator 111.

  As described above, in these configurations, when the vibrator 111 vibrates and generates an elliptical motion in the protrusion 111c, a driving force is generated in the driving direction A1 on the contact surface between the protrusion 111c and the friction member 112. At this time, the vibrator 111, the vibrator holding frame 115, the movable frame 116, the pressurizing member 117, the pressurizing plate 118, the pressurizing buffer member 119, and the movable guide member 120 are integrated as a movable portion, and are linearly driven in the driving direction A1. The In this embodiment, the configuration including the vibrator 111 is a movable portion and the configuration including the friction member 112 is a fixed portion. However, the configuration including the friction member 112 is reversed between the movable portion and the fixed portion. It is good also as a movable part. Moreover, the material which comprised each member is an illustration, and you may substitute with other well-known materials etc. which have an equivalent function.

  Next, features and effects of the vibration wave motor 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2A is a front view of the vibration wave motor 1, and FIG. 2B is a bottom view. FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of a portion fixed to the holding member 113 such as the guide member 114 in the vicinity of both ends in the driving direction A1 of the guide member 114 in FIG.

  In the vibration wave motor 1 of the present embodiment, both ends of the friction member 112 and the guide member 114 in the driving direction A1 are held by being held between the holding member 113 and a fixing member 122 made of a known fastening member such as a screw. Yes. At this time, the friction member 112 and the fixing member 122 are in contact with the guide member 114. In the vibration wave motor 1, the longitudinal dimension of each of the vibration wave motors 1 is such that the end E <b> 1 of the friction member 112 in the driving direction A <b> 1 coincides with or is positioned outside the end E <b> 2 of the guide member 114. It has been established. Furthermore, in the vibration wave motor 1, each short dimension is set so that the end E3 in the width direction A2 of the friction member 112 is aligned with or located outside the end E4 of the guide member 114 in the vicinity of the holding position. It has been established.

  The effect by such a structure is demonstrated below with reference to FIG.7 and FIG.8. FIG. 7A is an enlarged view and a cross-sectional view in the vicinity of both ends in the driving direction A1 of the guide member 914 of the vibration wave motor of the conventional mode that does not have the characteristics of the vibration wave motor 1 described above. FIG. 7B is an enlarged view and a sectional view in the vicinity of both ends in the driving direction A1 of the guide member 114 of the vibration wave motor 1 described above. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining resonance that occurs in the guide members 114 and 914.

  7A and 7B, the guide members 114 and 914 are fixed to the holding members 113 and 913 by the fixing members 122 and 922 so that the friction members 112 and 912 are sandwiched between the holding members 113 and 913. It is fixed against. The friction members 112 and 912 and the guide members 114 and 914 substantially abut in the vicinity of both end portions in the driving direction A1 due to the structure described above. Therefore, there is a concern that vibrations of the vibrator 111 and the like are transmitted to the guide members 114 and 914 via the friction members 112 and 912 and the resonance of the guide members 114 and 914 is induced.

  FIG. 8A illustrates the resonance that is most likely to occur in the plate-like members such as the guide members 114 and 914, and FIG. 8B illustrates the resonance that is likely to occur next. 8A corresponds to the bending vibration of the guide member 114 (same for 914), for example, and FIG. 8B corresponds to the torsional vibration of the guide member 114 (same for 914), for example. In the bending vibration shown in FIG. 8A, the end of the guide member 114 in the driving direction A1 vibrates particularly greatly as indicated by M1. Further, in the torsional vibration shown in FIG. 8B, the end in the width direction A2 of the guide member 114 vibrates particularly greatly as indicated by M2.

  In the conventional vibration wave motor 9 which does not have the characteristics of this embodiment, the end of the friction member 912 in the driving direction A1 is positioned inside the end of the guide member 914 in the driving direction A1 as shown in FIG. ing. As a result, the guide member 914 protrudes in the driving direction A1, and the protrusion P1 is not held because it does not contact the friction member 912. For this reason, when the bending vibration shown in FIG. 8A occurs, the vibration indicated by M1 occurs in the protruding portion P1, and there is a possibility that abnormal noise may be generated due to the beating sound between the friction member 912 and the friction member 912.

  On the other hand, in the vibration wave motor 1, as shown in FIG. 7B, the end of the friction member 112 in the driving direction A1 is located outside the end of the guide member 114 in the driving direction A1, and the protruding portion is No. For this reason, even when the bending vibration shown in FIG. 8 (a) occurs, the portion that will vibrate greatly is in contact with another member, so the vibration of the protruding portion alone does not occur. Generation of abnormal noise can be reduced.

  In the vibration wave motor 9, the guide member 914 has a protruding portion P2 that is not held in the width direction A2. For this reason, when the torsional vibration shown in FIG. 8B occurs, the vibration indicated by M2 is generated in the protruding portion P2, and there is a possibility that abnormal noise is generated. On the other hand, in the vibration wave motor 1, the protruding portion of the guide member 114 in the width direction A2 does not exist. Therefore, even when the torsional vibration shown in FIG. 8B occurs, it is possible to reduce the possibility of abnormal noise. In this embodiment, the friction member 112 and the guide member 114 are abutted and fixed with a single screw as the fixing member 122. For this reason, the space which arranges the composition for fixation can be reduced, and the secondary effect that the vibration wave motor 1 can be reduced in size is also acquired.

  As described above, in both the driving direction A1 and the width direction A2, the longitudinal dimension is such that the end of the friction member 112 that contacts the guide member 114 coincides with or is located outside the end of the guide member 114. Is stipulated. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and only a driving direction A1 may satisfy this condition. Even with this structure, it is possible to reduce the possibility of abnormal noise due to bending vibration of the guide member 114 shown in FIG. 8A, and the effects of the present invention can be obtained. At the same time, however, it is preferable that the short dimension is determined so that the end of the friction member 112 coincides with the end of the guide member 114 or is located outside in the width direction A2. Thereby, the possibility of noise generation due to torsional vibration of the guide member 114 shown in FIG. 8B can also be reduced.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, in the friction member 112 that is one member that contacts the guide member 114, the ends in the driving direction A1 and the width direction A2 coincide with the ends of the guide member 114 or are arranged outside the ends. ing. However, in the fixing member 122, which is another member that contacts the guide member 114, the end of the driving direction A1 and the width direction A2 coincides with the end of the guide member 114 or is positioned outside the end. The same effect can be obtained even if the shape 122 is defined.

  As described above, the vibration wave motor 1 according to the present embodiment includes the vibrator 111, the friction member 112, the guide member 114, and the fixing member 122. The vibrator 111 vibrates by applying a predetermined voltage, and generates a driving force that is driven relative to the friction member 112. The friction member 112 abuts on the vibrator 111 at the friction surface, and is driven relative to the vibrator in a predetermined driving direction by the vibration described above. This friction member is defined by the drive direction A1 and the width direction A2 described above, and is configured to have a friction surface 112a extending in the drive direction A1. The width direction A2 can also be defined as a width direction perpendicular to the drive direction A1 in the friction surface of the friction member 112. The guide member 114 is composed of a plate-like member extending in the driving direction A1 in the relative movement described above, and guides the relative driving performed by the vibrator 111.

  The fixing member 122 fixes both ends of the guide member 114 to the friction member 112 in the vicinity of both ends of the friction member 112 in the driving direction A1. The vicinity of both ends of the friction member 112 where the fixing member 122 fixes the guide member 114 is the end of the friction member 112 outside the driving range when the vibrator 111 is relatively driven with respect to the friction member 112. Means the area inside. In the vibration wave motor 1 having the above-described configuration, a member that abuts at a plate-like end portion where the guide member 114 is fixed to the fixing member 122 is characterized by outer edges of both end portions. That is, the abutting member is provided with an outer edge so as to coincide with or be located on the outer side in at least one of the driving direction A1 and the width direction A2 with respect to the end portion of the guide member 114.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vibration wave motor 1 further includes the holding member 113 that holds the friction member 112 with the friction member 112 fixed by the fixing member 122. In this case, the guide member 114 may be sandwiched between the friction member 112 and the fixing member 122, and the friction member 112 may act as the above-mentioned contact member. In addition, it is better that the fixing member 122 also acts as a member that abuts. In the above-described embodiment, the fixing member 122 is a single member disposed at each end so as to be screwed into a screw hole formed in the holding member 113 that contacts the friction member 112. An example using screws is shown. However, the aspect of the fixing member 122 is not limited to this. That is, if the guide member 114 and the friction member 112 can be fixed in a single configuration, or can be fixed in a state where some member is sandwiched, any known fastening means can be used. Can be used. The end portions described in the first embodiment and the like correspond to the outside of the movement range of the relatively moving member such as the vibrator 111 in the friction member 112, the guide member 114, and the like. Alternatively, it corresponds to a region from a position where the above-described screws or the like do not interfere with the vibrator 111 or the like to the end of each member, which can be fixed by screws or the like.

(Second Embodiment)
The configuration of the vibration wave motor 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 showing this in the same manner as in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. In the following description, the driving direction A1, the width direction A2, and the like are also defined as the same direction as in the first embodiment described above.

  Similar to the vibration wave motor 1, the vibration wave motor 2 of the present embodiment includes a vibrator 211, a friction member 212, a holding member 213, and a guide member 214 as main components. The holding member 213 holds the friction member 212, and the guide member 214 guides the vibrator 211 so as to be movable in the driving direction A1. As will be described later, in this embodiment, the arrangement order of these main components in the stacking direction is different from that in the first embodiment. However, the vibrator holding member, the movable frame, the pressure member, the pressure plate, the pressure buffering member, the movable guide member, and the like that pressurize the friction member 212 while holding the vibrator 211 correspond to the first embodiment. There is no difference in structure and structure. For this reason, explanation here is omitted.

  3A shows a front view of the vibration wave motor 2, and FIG. 3B shows a bottom view. 3C is an enlarged view of the vicinity of both end portions in the driving direction A1 of the guide member 214 in FIG. 3B, that is, a fixing portion for the holding member 213 such as the guide member 214. The vibration wave motor 2 is the same as the vibration wave motor 1 in that the friction member 212 and the guide member 214 are sandwiched between the holding member 213 and the fixing member 222 in the vicinity of both ends in the driving direction A1. However, the vibration wave motor 2 according to the present embodiment is arranged in the order of the stacking direction from the top in the order of the holding member 213, the friction member 212, the guide member 214, and the fixing member 222. In this stacking order, the vibration wave motor 2 is different from the vibration wave motor 1 described above, and the guide member 214 is sandwiched between the holding member 213 and the friction member 212 and abuts against these members.

  In the vibration wave motor 2, in the vicinity of both ends in the driving direction A1, in addition to the friction member 212, the end E1 of the holding member 213 in the driving direction A1 coincides with the end E2 of the guide member 214, or the end faces outward. positioned. Further, in the vibration wave motor 2, the end E <b> 3 in the width direction A <b> 2 of the friction member 212 coincides with or is located outside the end E <b> 4 of the guide member 214 in the vicinity of both ends in the driving direction A <b> 1 of the guide member 214. The holding member 213 extends to the outside of the end E4 of the guide member 214.

  In the present embodiment, with the configuration described above, similar to the vibration wave motor 1, even when the bending vibration shown in FIG. 8A or the torsional vibration shown in FIG. The possibility of doing so can be reduced. Further, in this embodiment, in all the members that are in contact with the guide member 214, the ends in the drive direction A1 and the width direction A2 coincide with the ends of the guide member 214 in the vicinity of both ends of the guide member 214 in the drive direction A1. Alternatively, the external dimensions are determined so that the end is located outside. Therefore, it can be expected that the effect of reducing the vibration due to the resonance of the guide member 214 is greater than that of the vibration wave motor 1 shown in the first embodiment.

  In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the ends of all the members that contact the guide member 214 coincide with the ends of the guide member 214 in both the driving direction A1 and the width direction A2. The end is located outside. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and only a driving direction A1 may satisfy this condition. Even with this structure, it is possible to reduce the possibility of abnormal noise due to bending vibration of the guide member 114 shown in FIG. However, in addition, in the width direction A2, it is preferable that the ends of all the members in contact with the guide member 214 coincide with the ends of the guide member 214, or the ends are located outside. Thereby, the possibility of occurrence of abnormal noise due to torsional vibration of the guide member 114 shown in FIG. 8B can also be reduced.

  That is, the vibration wave motor 2 according to this embodiment includes a vibrator, a friction member 212, a guide member 214, and a fixing member 222, and further includes a holding member 213. The holding member 213 holds the friction member 212 by fixing the friction member 212 by the fixing member 222. In this embodiment, the guide member 214 is sandwiched between the friction member 212 and the holding member 213, and at least one of the friction member 212 and the holding member 213 acts as a contact member described in the first embodiment. To do. In the present embodiment, an example in which a single screw arranged at each end so as to be screwed into a screw hole formed in the holding member 213 is used as the fixing member 222 is shown. ing. However, the aspect of the fixing member 222 is not limited to this, and various known fastening members can be used as long as an accurate fixing state is obtained while achieving space saving.

(Third embodiment)
The configuration of the vibration wave motor 3 according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing this in the same manner as in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the first embodiment. To do. In the following description, the driving direction A1, the width direction A2, and the like are also defined as the same direction as in the first embodiment described above.

  The vibration wave motor 3 shown in FIG. 4 includes a vibrator 311, a friction member 312, and a guide member 314 as main components. The vibrator 311 constitutes a movable portion together with the vibrator holding frame 315, the movable frame 316, the pressure member 317, the pressure plate 318, the pressure buffer member 319, the movable guide member 320, and the rolling member 321. The guide member 314 holds the friction member 312 and guides the vibrator 311 (movable part) so as to be movable in the driving direction A1. The vibration wave motor 3 further includes a buffer member 323 disposed between the friction member 312 and the guide member 314 so as to form a fixed portion together with the friction member 312 and the guide member 314.

  Here, the vibration wave motors 1 and 2 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment are different from the vibration wave motor 3 of the third embodiment in the following points. That is, the guide member 314 holds the friction member 312 and the above-described holding members 113 and 213 are omitted. A buffer member 323 is disposed between the friction member 312 and the guide member 314. The buffer member 323 is made of a material having a lower Young's modulus than the friction member 312 and the guide member 314, such as a resin film. Further, a known fastening member such as a screw that is the guide member 314 and the fixing member 322 sandwiches the friction member 312 and the buffer member 323 and fixes them to the guide member 314. In the present embodiment, the movable member including the vibrator 311 and the friction member 312 are configured in the same manner as the vibration wave motor 1 and the vibration wave motor 2 described above, and thus the description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, features and effects of the vibration wave motor 3 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5A shows a front view of the vibration wave motor 3, and FIG. 5B shows a bottom view. FIG. 5C is an enlarged view of a state in which the guide member 314 is fixed to the guide member 314 in the driving direction A1 in FIG.

  In the vibration wave motor 3 of the present embodiment, both ends of the friction member 312 in the driving direction A1 and the buffer member 323 are held by being sandwiched between the guide member 314 and the fixing member 322. At this time, the buffer member 323 and the fixing member 322 are in contact with the guide member 314. In the vicinity of the holding position, the outer diameter of the buffer member 323 is determined so that the end E1 of the buffer member 323 in the driving direction A1 coincides with the end E2 of the guide member 314 or is positioned outside the end. Yes. Further, in this vibration wave motor 3, the buffer member 323 is positioned so that the end E3 in the width direction A2 of the buffer member 323 coincides with the end E4 of the guide member 314 or is located outside the end in the vicinity of the holding position. The outer diameter dimension is determined. Therefore, since the portion that will vibrate greatly in the guide member 314 is in contact with another member, the guide member 314 will not vibrate alone.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration described above is when the bending vibration shown in FIG. 8A and the torsional vibration shown in FIG. 8B are generated as in the case of the vibration wave motor 1 or the vibration wave motor 2. Can also reduce the possibility of abnormal noise. In the present embodiment, a buffer member 323 having a low Young's modulus is disposed between the guide member 314 and the friction member 312. Thus, vibration transmission to the guide member 314 via the friction member 312 can be reduced, and even when the guide member 314 vibrates, this vibration can be absorbed by the elasticity of the buffer member 323. Therefore, it can be expected that the effect of reducing the vibration due to the resonance of the guide member 314 is greater than in the case of the vibration wave motors 1 and 2 shown in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

  In the third embodiment, the end of the buffer member 323 that contacts the guide member 314 coincides with the end of the guide member 314 in both the driving direction A1 and the width direction A2 as in the first embodiment. Or it is located outside the end. However, the present invention is not limited to this form, and only a driving direction A1 may satisfy this condition. Even with this structure, it is possible to reduce the possibility of abnormal noise due to bending vibration of the guide member 314 shown in FIG. However, it is also preferable that the end of the buffer member 323 coincides with the end of the guide member 314 or is located outside the end also in the width direction A2. As a result, the possibility of abnormal noise due to torsional vibration of the guide member 314 shown in FIG. 8B can be reduced.

  In the present embodiment, the end in the driving direction A1 and the width direction A2 of the buffer member 323 that contacts the guide member 314 coincides with the end of the guide member 314 or is located outside the end. However, in this embodiment, the end in the driving direction A1 and the width direction A2 of the fixing member 322, which is another member that contacts the guide member 314, coincides with the end of the guide member 314 or is positioned outside the end. You may make it do. Alternatively, the fixing member 322 together with the buffer member 323 may satisfy this condition. Thereby, it can be expected that the same effect as the above-described embodiment or a larger effect can be obtained.

  That is, the vibration wave motor 3 according to the present embodiment includes a vibrator, a friction member 312, a guide member 314, and a fixing member 322, and further includes a buffer member 323. The buffer member 323 is fixed by the fixing member 322 so as to contact the guide member 314. It acts as a member that comes into contact with the guide member 314 described above. In addition, the structure which distribute | arranges the buffer member 323 is not restricted to 3rd Embodiment, It can also distribute | arrange with respect to the structure illustrated in 1st Embodiment. Further, as described above, the buffer member 323 is preferably made of a material having a Young's modulus lower than that of the friction member 312 and the guide member 314. Also in the present embodiment, a single screw disposed at each end so as to be screwed into a screw hole formed in the guide member 314 that contacts the friction member 312 as the fixing member 322. An example using is shown. However, the aspect of the fixing member 322 is not limited thereto, and various known fastening members can be used as long as an accurate fixing state can be obtained while achieving space saving.

  By adopting the configuration in the vicinity of the fixed portion of the friction members 112, 212, 312 and the guide members 114, 214, 314 as described in the above embodiment, resonance of the guide member is reduced, and abnormal noise is generated. It is possible to reduce the possibility. Note that the configurations of the vibration wave motors 1, 2, and 3 described above are merely examples of embodiments for carrying out the present invention. For example, the pressurizing mechanism that pressurizes and contacts the vibrators 111 and 311 and the friction members 112, 212, and 312 and the guide mechanism that guides the movement of the movable portion are not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment. That is, the driving principle of the vibrator, the holding guide structure of the vibrator and the friction member, or the material of each member is not limited to the above-described matters, and can be replaced with a known substitute.

(Fourth embodiment)
As a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a lens device using the vibration wave motor 1 described above as a lens driving device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a diagram schematically showing a cross-sectional structure of an imaging apparatus including a lens device 41 incorporating the above-described vibration wave motor 1 and a camera body 42 to which the lens device 41 is attached. FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view showing the vibration wave motor 1 and a related configuration for driving the lens by the vibration wave motor 1.

  The imaging device shown in FIG. 6A includes a camera body 42 and a lens device 41 that is detachably attached to the camera body 42. An image sensor 42 a is provided in the camera body 42. The mount 421 of the camera body 42 is further provided with a bayonet portion for attaching the lens device 41 to the camera body 42.

  The lens device 41 includes the vibration wave motor 1, a fixed barrel 411, a front barrel 412, a rear barrel 413, a focus lens holding frame 414, a guide bar 415, a mount 421, and lenses G1, G2, and G3. The fixed cylinder 411 is in contact with the flange portion of the mount 421 disposed at the end on the camera body 42 side, and the fixed cylinder 411 and the mount 421 are fixed to screws (not shown). Further, the front barrel 412 that holds the lens G1 and the rear barrel 413 that holds the lens G3 are fixed to the fixed barrel 411. The front lens barrel 412 is disposed on the subject side end of the lens device 41, and the rear lens barrel 413 is disposed on the subject side of the mount 421. A focus lens holding frame 414 disposed between the lens G1 and the lens G3 holds a focusing lens G2. The focus lens holding frame 414 is further held by a guide bar 415 held by the front lens barrel 412 and the rear lens barrel 413 so as to be able to move straight forward. The vibration wave motor 1 is fixed to the rear barrel 413 with a fastening member such as a screw (not shown).

  FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view of the vibration wave motor 1, the focus lens G 2, the focus lens holding frame 414, and the guide bar 415. The movable frame 116 of the vibration wave motor 1 is provided with a shaft 116 a that transmits a driving force obtained from the vibration wave motor 1 to the outside. The shaft 116 a engages with an engaging portion 414 a provided on the focus lens holding frame 414. When the vibration wave motor 1 is driven with the above configuration, the driving force is transmitted to the focus lens holding frame 414 through the movable frame 116. The focus lens holding frame 414 is held so as to be linearly movable by a guide bar 415 disposed in parallel with the driving direction of the vibration wave motor 1. Therefore, the focus lens holding frame 414 is guided by the guide bar 415 and linearly moved by the vibration wave motor 1.

  As described above, by using the vibration wave motor according to the present invention for the lens device 4, it is possible to reduce the possibility of occurrence of abnormal noise when the vibration wave motor is driven. This leads to suppression of abnormal noise from the lens device during driving of the focus lens during photographing, and as a result, a lens device capable of quieter lens driving can be provided.

  As described above, the present invention can be used for a configuration that performs lens driving or the like in a lens apparatus of a photographing apparatus that requires a small and high-power motor. In the present embodiment, the mode in which the driven portion including the focusing lens G2 is driven by the vibration wave motor 1 has been described. However, the usage mode of the vibration wave motor 1 is not limited to the example here, and other configurations are possible. You may use for the structure which drives a to-be-driven part or another member. Further, as the vibration frequency of the vibration wave motor, it is preferable to use a frequency in the ultrasonic region from the viewpoint of operation speed, responsiveness, and the like, and it is desirable to be a so-called ultrasonic motor. In addition, a configuration in which the lens of the imaging device in which the lens device is integrated or other driven parts is driven by the above-described vibration wave motor may be employed. Further, the present embodiment is not limited to a lens device or an imaging device as a device on which a vibration wave motor is mounted, and includes an electronic device, an optical device, and the like on which the vibration wave motor is mounted.

1, 2, 3 Vibration wave motor 111, 311 Vibrator 112, 212, 312 Friction member 113, 213 Holding member 114, 214, 314 Guide member 122, 222, 322 Fixed member G1, G2, G3 Lens

Claims (13)

A vibrator that vibrates by applying a voltage;
A friction member that is in contact with the vibrator at a friction surface and is driven relative to the vibrator by a vibration in a predetermined driving direction, and extends in the driving direction;
A guide member extending in the drive direction to guide the relative drive of the vibrator;
A fixing member that fixes both ends of the guide member to the friction member in the vicinity of both ends of the friction member in the driving direction,
The member that abuts at the plate-like end portion where the guide member is fixed to the fixing member is in the width direction perpendicular to the drive direction and the drive direction in the friction surface with respect to the end portion of the guide member. A vibration wave motor characterized in that an outer edge is provided so as to coincide or be located outside at least in any one of them. A holding member for holding the friction member by fixing the friction member by the fixing member;
2. The vibration wave motor according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is sandwiched between the friction member and the fixing member, and the friction member acts as the member that abuts on the guide member. A buffer member fixed by the fixing member so as to contact the guide member;
The vibration wave motor according to claim 1, wherein the buffer member acts as the abutting member.   The vibration wave motor according to claim 3, wherein the buffer member is made of a material having a Young's modulus lower than that of the friction member and the guide member.   5. The vibration wave motor according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member functions as the abutting member. 6.   2. The fixing member according to claim 1, wherein the fixing member includes a single screw disposed at each of the end portions so as to be screwed into a screw hole formed in a member that contacts the friction member. The vibration wave motor according to any one of 5. A holding member for holding the friction member by fixing the friction member by the fixing member;
2. The vibration wave motor according to claim 1, wherein the guide member is sandwiched between the friction member and the holding member, and at least one of the friction member and the holding member acts as the abutting member. .   The vibration wave according to claim 7, wherein the fixing member includes a single screw disposed at each of the ends so as to be screwed into a screw hole formed in the holding member. motor.   The vibration wave motor according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the vibration wave motor is an ultrasonic motor using vibrations having a frequency in an ultrasonic region.   A lens apparatus comprising the vibration wave motor according to claim 1.   An imaging device comprising the lens device according to claim 10.   An electronic device comprising the vibration wave motor according to claim 1.   An optical apparatus comprising the vibration wave motor according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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